Fluid collecting bag, an overflow device, and a fluid collecting system

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a fluid collecting system for collecting fluid downstream from a patient via a fluid collection line. The system comprises a fluid collecting bag ( 12 ) and an overflow device ( 14 ). The bag comprises an inlet tube ( 20 ) connectable to a bladder of a patient and to the interior of the bag ( 18 ), and an overflow tube ( 26 ) connected to the inlet tube ( 20 ) adjacent a top of the bag ( 12 ) and to an optional overflow device ( 14 ) to drain the bag if overflow occurs, in use. The overflow device ( 14 ) comprises a housing ( 30 ) having chamber ( 32 ), an inlet port ( 34 ) to the chamber connectable to the overflow tube ( 26 ), and a resiliently flexible member ( 36 ) located in the chamber. The member ( 36 ) is displaceable between a storage configuration, in which the overflow member is located in the chamber ( 32 ), and a filling configuration, in which the overflow member ( 36 ) extends from the chamber with fluid received from the overflow tube ( 26 ) held therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to fluid collecting bags and overflow devicestherefor, particularly for medical use, for example, in urologicalprocedures.

Certain medical procedures require the irrigation of a body cavity ororgan thereafter. For example, after a urological procedure such as atrans-urethral prostate resection (TURP) procedure, there is a need forcontinuous irrigation of the human bladder with fluid to ameliorate clotformation from blood oozing out from a resection side of the prostate.This is provided by a system for and method of continuously irrigatingthe bladder with a fluid and draining of the fluid into a fluidcollecting bag situated below patient level until withdrawn or drainedfluids from the bladder become substantially clear of blood and/ortissue.

The fluid withdrawn or drained from the body held in the fluidcollecting bag, which has a capacity of about 2 or 3 litres, is thenemptied by a healthcare worker, for example, a nurse periodically or onan ad hoc basis, for example, when its maximum capacity has beenreached. Failure to drain or empty the fluid collecting bag when full isproblematic as this may result in a patient's bladder becoming distendedwith fluid. This has at least two major drawbacks in that firstly itcauses pain to the patient, and secondly when the bladder is distended,irrigation stops and if a patient is bleeding from a wound there will beclot formation in the bladder. These clots may block catheters used inthe irrigation procedure and if the clots are large, the patient mayrequire a bladder washout and possibility surgical intervention.

Though regular draining of the fluid collecting bag ameliorates theabove problems/drawbacks, in some cases, for example, due tounderstaffing at healthcare institutions this may not always berealistically possible and the fluid collecting bag is often not drainedleaving the same to fill to its maximum capacity resulting in theabovementioned problems.

Some conventional methodologies and systems to address theabovementioned involve allowing overflow fluid to spill freely out ofthe fluid collection bags. However, these are understandably unhygienicand undesirable.

The present invention seeks at least to address the abovementionedproblems and/or drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fluidcollecting bag for receiving fluid downstream from a patient via a fluidcollection line or tube, the fluid collecting bag comprising:

-   -   a bag body having an interior for receiving and holding fluid;    -   an inlet tube comprising a first end portion in fluid        communication with the interior of the bag body and a second end        portion connectable in fluid communication to the fluid        collection line or tube;    -   an outlet tube comprising a first end portion in fluid        communication with the interior of the bag body and a second end        portion connectable to a drainage valve for draining the        interior of the bag body, in use; and    -   an overflow tube comprising a first end portion connected in        fluid communication with the inlet tube, at a region between the        first and second end portions of the inlet tube, and a second        end portion providing an outlet for fluid received from the        first end portion, in use.

The second end portion of the inlet tube may be in fluid connection, viathe fluid collection line or tube, with a catheter located in thebladder of the patient such that, in use, the fluid received in the bagbody is from the bladder of the patient.

The first portion of the overflow tube may be connectable to the inlettube at a region adjacent the first end portion of the inlet tube.

The first end portion of the inlet tube may be connectable adjacent atop portion of the bag body, and wherein the first end portion of theoverflow tube may be connectable to the first end portion of the inlettube at a region adjacent the connection of the inlet tube to the topportion of the bag body.

The first end portion of the overflow tube may be attachabletransversely to the inlet tube.

The inlet tube may be connected perpendicularly to the inlet tube andhence a fluid flow path within the inlet tube so as to receive fluidtherefrom in response to the bag body being substantially full of fluid,in use.

It will be appreciated that a substantial portion of the overflow tubemay extend from the first end portion thereof, through the interior ofthe bag body, wherein the second end portion thereof protrudes oremerges from the interior of the bag body.

The overflow pipe substantially may follow an S-shaped path within thebag body with a transverse portion of the overflow pipe being located ator adjacent a meridian or middle axis of the bag body.

The overflow tube may extend exterior to the bag body.

The second end portion of the overflow tube may be connectable to anoverflow device for collecting overflow fluid received from the overflowtube.

The overflow device may substantially be of the type described below.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided anoverflow device for use with a fluid collecting bag for receiving fluiddownstream from a patient, the overflow device comprising:

-   -   a housing comprising a chamber;    -   an inlet port in flow communication with the chamber at a first        end portion and connectable to an overflow tube from the fluid        collecting bag at a second end portion for receiving overflow        fluid therefrom and transmitting the same to the chamber; and    -   a resiliently flexible or compliant and stretchable overflow        member having an open end attachable to the housing in a sealing        fashion and a closed end, wherein the open end of the overflow        member is in fluid communication with the chamber and configured        such that, in use, fluid received by the overflow member enters        the chamber and causes the overflow member to be displaced        between a storage configuration, in which the overflow member is        located substantially within the chamber, and a filling        configuration, in which the overflow member extends from the        chamber with fluid held therein.

The overflow member may be in the form of a balloon or condom-likemember.

The housing may comprise a circular disk-like top portion and acylindrical wall or skirt extending from the periphery of the topportion to an end portion of the housing, wherein the chamber may bedefined between the top portion and the wall of the housing.

The inlet port may be located adjacent a hub of the top portion.

The cylindrical wall may define a circumferentially extending seatadjacent the end portion of the housing for locating a circumferentiallyextending lip adjacent the open end of the overflow member therein.

The device may comprise a collar configured to fit around the housing,adjacent the end portion thereof, so as at least to retain the lip ofthe overflow member substantially in the seat.

The device may comprise a cylindrical securing member to secure theoverflow tube to the inlet port of the device.

The overflow device may comprise a seal to locate and keep the overflowmember in the storage configuration in the chamber.

The seal may be suitable to displace or rupture to allow the overflowmember to be displaced to the filling configuration in response to apredetermined amount of fluid pressure being present in the chamber.

A non-return valve may be provided adjacent the inlet port of theoverflow device so as to prevent fluid received in the overflow deviceto travel out of the inlet port, in use.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluidcollecting system collecting fluid downstream from a patient via a fluidcollection line, the fluid collecting system comprising:

-   -   a fluid collecting bag as hereinbefore described; and    -   an overflow device as hereinbefore described operatively        connectable, particularly in fluid communication with, to the        fluid collecting bag.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod of collecting fluid from a patient comprising operativelyconnecting a fluid collecting bag as hereinbefore described to apatient.

The method may comprise operatively attaching an overflow device ashereinbefore described to the fluid collecting bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a fluid collecting system inaccordance with an example embodiment of the invention with the overflowmember of the overflow device in the storage configuration;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a fluid collecting system inaccordance with an example embodiment of the invention with the overflowmember of the overflow device in a deployed filling configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective diagram of an overflow device in accordancewith an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a section though an overflow device in accordance with anexample embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic in use diagram of a fluid collecting system inaccordance with an example embodiment of the invention with the overflowmember of the overflow device in the storage configuration; and

FIG. 6 shows a schematic in use diagram of a fluid collecting system inaccordance with an example embodiment of the invention with the overflowmember of the overflow device in the deployed filling configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of an embodiment of the present disclosure. It will beevident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosuremay be practiced without these specific details.

Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the same parts described inthe different Figures are denoted by the same reference numbers and thesame component names and the disclosures made throughout the descriptioncan be transposed in terms of meaning to same parts bearing the samereference numbers or same component names.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings where a fluid collectingsystem in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention isgenerally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The fluid collecting system 10 is typically used in draining orcollecting fluid from a body cavity or organ of a human body, forexample, during irrigation of the body cavity or organ after a medicalprocedure such as after a urological procedure as will be describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The system 10 comprises a fluid collecting bag 12 and an overflow device14 operatively connected in flow communication therewith.

The fluid collecting bag 12 comprises a bag body 16 having an interior18 for receiving and holding fluid, in use. The bag body 16 is typicallyconstructed from a durable plastic material used in the construction ofconventional fluid collecting bags in the present field of invention. Inone example embodiment, the bag body 16 may be formed in a conventionalmanner from at least two sheets of substantially flexible plastic sealedtogether adjacent peripheries thereof thereby to define the sealed orwater-tight interior 18. However, it will be noted that in some exampleembodiments (not illustrated), the bag body 16 may define an openingadjacent a top corner thereof.

The bag 12 further comprises an inlet tube 20 comprising a first endportion 20.1 in fluid communication with the interior 18 of the bag body16 and a second end portion 20.2 connectable in fluid communication to afluid collection line from a catheter indwelled in the body cavity ororgan of a patient as will be described below. It will be noted that thefirst portion 20.1 of the inlet tube 20 is connectable to a top portionof the bag body 16.

An outlet tube 22 is also provided with the bag 12, the outlet tube 22comprising a first end portion 22.1 in fluid communication with theinterior 18 of the bag body 16 and a second end portion 22.2 connectableto a drainage valve or tap 22.3 for draining the interior 18 of the bagbody 16, in use in a conventional manner. The drainage valve or tap 22.3is a conventional control valve or on/off tap operable manually to drainfluid from the interior 18 of the bag body 16.

The fluid flow through the fluid collecting bag 12 may be gravity driventhe bag may be hung to a suitable support, typically below a patient, aswill be described below, by way of suitable hangers 24 such that fluidtravels from the inlet tube 20, located at a top of the bag 12, in use,into the interior 18 of the bag body 16 and to the outlet tube 22,located at a bottom of the bag 12, in use, under gravity. It followsthat the outlet tube 22 may therefore be seen as located downstream fromthe inlet tube 20.

The fluid collecting bag 12 further comprises an overflow tube 26comprising a first end portion 26.1 connected in fluid communicationwith the inlet tube 20, at a region between the first end portion 20.1and second end portion 20.2 of the inlet tube 20. The overflow tube 26also comprises a second end portion 26.2 connectable to the overflowdevice 14 such that, in use, fluid flows from the inlet tube 20 via theoverflow tube 26 to the overflow device 14 in the event of the bag body16, particularly the interior 18 thereof, being full of fluid as will beexplained below.

In the illustrated example embodiment, the overflow tube 26 extendsthrough the interior 18 of the bag body 16 with the second end portion26.2 thereof protruding or emerging from the interior 18 of the bag body16 at the bottom of the bag 12. The overflow tube 26 may run in anS-shaped pattern inside the bag body 16 and in the meridian of the bagbody 16. In this way, when the bag body 16 is folded in half along themedian/middle axis A of the bag body 16 (see FIG. 1), then the middleportion of the overflow tube 26 is subjected to torsion force(twisting). There is no risk of the overflow tube 26 kinking. This is animportant aspect of the invention as the tube 26 is constructed ofplastic (also mentioned below) which has shape memory and can staypartially occluded for a long time if folded in a particular undesirablemanner which causes kinking thereof. In this way, at least thestructural integrity of at least the overflow tube 26 is maintained whenfolding the bag body 16, for example, for packaging purposes, in use.However, in some example embodiments (not illustrated), the overflowtube 26 may extend exterior to the bag body 16.

The overflow tube 26 may be connected substantially transversely to theinlet tube 20. In a preferred example embodiment, the overflow tube 26is connectable perpendicularly, for example, via a T-connection, to theinlet tube 20 at a region adjacent the first portion 20.1 thereof. Inparticular, the first portion 26.1 of the overflow tube 26 isconnectable to the inlet tube 20 at a region adjacent the connection ofthe first portion 20.1 of the inlet tube 20 and the top of the bag body16.

The inlet, outlet and overflow tubes 20, 22, and 26 may be of similarconstruction and may, for example, be constructed of a flexible plasticcylindrical tubing of a conventional type. The bag body 16 may beintegrally formed with one or more of the inlet, outlet and overflowtubes 20, 22, and 26. However, in some example embodiments, one or moreof the inlet, outlet and overflow tubes 20, 22, and 26 may be attachedin a sealing fashion to the bag body 16. In any event, it will beappreciated that the bag body 16 is substantially sealed, especiallyaround the inlet, outlet and overflow tubes 20, 22, and 26 so as toprevent undesirably fluid spillage.

The overflow device 14 is illustrated in part section in FIGS. 1 and 2.

It will be appreciated that though described with the overflow device 14in accordance with the invention, it will be noted that in other exampleembodiments (not illustrated), the fluid collecting bag 12 may be usedwith other overflow devices not described herein to collect overflowfluid, for example, another receptacle optionally sealingly connected tothe second end portion 26.2 of the overflow tube 26.

Reference will now be made also to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings whichillustrate the overflow device 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 separately.

The overflow device 14 comprises a housing 30 defining a chamber 32 ascan be seen more clearly in FIG. 4. In particular, the housing 30comprises a circular disk-like top portion 30.1 and a cylindrical wall30.2 extending from the periphery of the top portion 30.1 to an endportion of 30.3 the housing, wherein the chamber 32 has a cylindricalvolume defined between the top portion 30.1 and the wall 30.2 of thehousing 30.

The wall 30.2 may define a circumferentially extending seat or groove30.4 at an outer surface thereof adjacent the end portion 30.3 of thehousing 30.

The device 14 also comprises an inlet port 34 located at a hub of thetop portion 30.1. The inlet port 34 is in flow communication with thechamber 32 at a first end portion 34.1 thereof and connectable to anoverflow tube 26 from the fluid collecting bag 12 at a second endportion 34.2 thereof for receiving overflow fluid therefrom andtransmitting the same to the chamber 32. It will be appreciated that anon-return valve may be provided adjacent the inlet port 34 to preventfluid received thereby from travelling back to the overflow tube 26. Itwill be noted that in some example embodiments, the non-return valve maybe provided adjacent the end portion 26.2 of the tube 26.

The overflow device 14 further comprises a resiliently flexible orcompliant and stretchable overflow member 36 having a closed end and anopen end comprising a circumferentially extending lip 36.1 locatable inthe seat 30.4 defined by the housing 30. In this way, the member 36 isattachable to the housing 30 in a sealing fashion. The overflow member36 is locatable within the chamber 32 in a storage configuration asshown in FIGS. 1 and 4. However, it will be noted that the overflowmember 36 is displaceable to a filling configuration in which it extendsfrom or falls out of the chamber 32, in use, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The open end or mouth of the overflow member 36 is in fluidcommunication with the chamber 32 such that, in use, fluid received inthe chamber 32 is received by the overflow member 36 which causes thesame to be displaced between the storage configuration and the fillingconfiguration.

To this end, the overflow member 36 is a balloon or condom-like memberwhich may resiliently expand on receipt of fluid therein. The housingmay be constructed from a hard plastic material whereas the overflowmember may be constructed of rubber or latex. In some exampleembodiments, the overflow member 36 is a conventional latex or rubbercondom having a circular lip 36.1 circumferentially extending around themouth thereof. In any event, it will be appreciated that the member 36needs to be very compliant and stretchable so as to be able toaccommodate large amount of fluid at low pressures.

In addition to lip 36.1 of the member 36 being located in the seat 30.4of the housing 30, to facilitate securing the member 36 to the housing30, the device 14 may further comprise a collar 38 which may fit aroundthe housing 30 adjacent the end portion 30.3 thereof so as at least toretain the lip 36.1 of the overflow member substantially in the seat30.4. The collar 38 may be substantially cylindrical to engage thehousing 30 at one end and allow the member 36 to fall therethrough, inuse, at on opposite end thereof.

In one example embodiment, the housing may comprise a circumferentiallyextending protrusion 30.5 engageable with the collar 38 so as to assistin securing the collar 38 to the housing 30. The protrusion 30.5essentially prevents axial slippage of the collar 38 from the housing 30and the housing 38 may define complementary engaging formations toengage with the housing 30 and to prevent axial slippage from the same.

The protrusion 30.5 may be located adjacent and may be overhangingrelative to the seat 30.4. In this way, it further assists in locatingthe lip 36.1 of the member 36 in the seat 30.4.

In yet another example embodiment, it will be noted that the collar 38may have a slight degree of clearance from the housing 30, particularlyfrom the member 36.1 located in the seat 30.4 so as not to frustrateoperation of the member 36.

In any event, the device 14 may comprise a cylindrical securing member40 to secure the overflow tube 26 to the inlet port 34. In this regard,the second end portion of tube 26 may fit spigot-socket fashion aroundthe port 34 wherein the securing member 40 comprises engaging formationsto secure the tube 26 to the inlet port 34. To this end, the inlet portmay also comprise engaging formations on an outer surface thereof.

In a further example embodiment, the device 14 may comprise a seal 42 tolocate and keep the overflow member 36 in the storage configuration.

In a preferred example embodiment, the seal 42 is in the form of acircular disk locatable in a seat defined at a base end of the collar38. Alternately, the seal 42 may be connected to the housing 30. In anyevent, the disk 42 is configured to be displaceable, to allow theoverflow member 36 to be displaced to the filling configuration, inresponse to a predetermined amount of fluid pressure being present inthe chamber 32. To this end, the disk 42 may be selected to be displacedwhen a pressure in the chamber 32 reaches a particular predeterminedthreshold so that distension the bladder of a patient does not occur, inuse. For example, the disk 42 may be displaced or in other words pop outof its seat when the pressure above the point of connection of theoverflow tube to the inlet tube reaches a value of 25-30 cm of fluid.

In other example embodiments, the seal may be selected to rupture, toallow the overflow member 36 to be displaced to the fillingconfiguration, in response to a predetermined amount of fluid pressurebeing present in the chamber 32.

In use, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, and now also inparticular to FIGS. 5 and 6 when a patient 44 undergoes a urologicalprocedure such as a TURP procedure previously mentioned, there is a needto irrigate the bladder 44.1 of said patient 44 with fluid and withdrawor drain said fluid.

In this regard, reservoirs 46 are located at a height above the patient44, for example, suspended via suitable support means adjacent a bed ofthe patient 44 and a fluid supply line 48 is introduced to the bladder44.1 of the patient 44 via conventional means, for example, through theurethra of the patient 44.

The fluid collecting bag 12 as described above is located below thepatient 44 and is connected via a fluid collecting line 50 from thepatient 44 in a conventional manner such that fluid from the bladder44.1 of the patient 44 is collected or drained therefrom via the line 50into the bag 12.

The line 50 is typically connected to the second end portion 20.2 of theinlet tube 20 such that the same is in fluid communication with thebladder 44.1 of the patient 44. To this end, the line 50 may in turn beconnected to a catheter connected to the patient in a conventionalfashion. In some example embodiments, it will be appreciated that theend portion 20.2 of the inlet tube 20 may comprise the line 50 and maybe connected directly to the catheter.

It will be noted that one or more of the reservoirs 46, the lines 48,50, optionally associated conventional equipment for irrigation of abody cavity, together with the fluid collecting system 10 as describedherein may form part of a fluid irrigation system in accordance with anexample embodiment of the invention.

In any event, it will be noted that as the reservoirs 46 empty into thebladder 44.1, from being substantially full as illustrated in FIG. 5 tobeing substantially empty as illustrated in FIG. 6, the fluid from thebladder 44.1 is correspondingly drained in an irrigation fluid flowcircuit via the line 50 into the interior 18 of the bag body 16, via thetube 20 such that the bag body 16 fills from being substantially emptyas illustrated in FIG. 5 to being substantially full as illustrated inFIG. 6.

When the interior 18 of the bag body 16 is substantially full to itsmaximum capacity and the valve or particularly an on/off tap 22.3 is notactuated to drain the interior 18 of the bag body 16, a low pressurezone for fluid flow is formed or provided adjacent the interface betweenthe first end portion 26.1 of the overflow tube 26 and the inlet tube20. Overflow fluid thus flows or is drained through the tube 26 into theoverflow device 14 or a suitable receptacle such as a bucket, etc.

Fluid entering the overflow device 14 via the inlet port 34 operativelyconnected in flow communication with a second end portion 26.2 of theoverflow tube 26 enters into the chamber 32 of the device 14. Fluidentering the chamber 32 is brought into communication with the mouth ofthe overflow member 36 and due to either the filling of the member 36 orthe pressure within the chamber 32, the seal 42 displaces by popping outof the associated seat, or in some example embodiments, rupturesallowing the closed end of the overflow member 36 to drop from thestorage configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5 to a filingconfiguration as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 in which the member 36 maybe filled with overflow fluid received via the overflow tube 26.

The resiliency of the member 36 allows for the same to expand therebyallowing a substantial amount of overflow fluid to be collected in themember 36.

In this way, the present invention provides a means to handle overflowfluid during irrigation of a patient. In the case of irrigating abladder of a patient, this prevents the bladder of a patient frombecoming distended which causes the problems hereinbefore described. Inaddition, the invention provides a hygienic manner in which to handlefluid collection during irrigation in the event of an overflow of fluidin the fluid collection bag.

1. A fluid collecting bag for receiving fluid downstream from a patientvia fluid collection line or tube, the fluid collection bag comprising:a bag body having an interior for receiving and holding fluid; an inlettube comprising a first end portion in fluid communication with theinterior of the bag body and a second end portion connectable in fluidcommunication to the fluid collection line or tube; an outlet tubecomprising a first end portion in fluid communication with the interiorof the bag body and a second end portion connectable to a drainage valvefor draining then interior of the bag body, in use; and an overflow tubecomprising a first end portion connected in fluid communication with theinlet tube, at a region between the first and second end portions of theinlet tube, and a second end portion providing an outlet for fluidreceived from the first end portion, in use.
 2. A fluid collecting bagas claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the inlet tubeis in fluid connection, via the fluid collection line or tube, with acatheter located in the bladder of a patient such that, in use, thefluid received in the bag body is from the bladder of the patient.
 3. Afluid collecting bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion ofthe overflow tube is connectable to the inlet tube at a region adjacentthe first end portion of the inlet tube.
 4. A fluid collecting bag asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the inlet tube isconnectable adjacent a top portion of the bag body, and wherein thefirst end portion of the overflow tube is connectable to the first endportion of the inlet tube at a region adjacent the connection of theinlet tube to the top portion of the bag body.
 5. A fluid collecting bagas claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the overflowtube is attachable transversely to the inlet tube.
 6. (canceled)
 7. Afluid collecting bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein a substantialportion of the overflow tube extends from the first portion thereof,through the interior of the bag body, with the second end portionthereof protruding or emerging from the interior of the bag body.
 8. Afluid collecting bag as claimed in claim 7, wherein the overflow pipesubstantially follows an S-shaped path within the bag body with atransverse portion of the overflow pipe being located at or adjacent ameridian or middle axis of the bag body.
 9. A fluid collecting bag asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the overflow tube extends exterior to thebag body.
 10. A fluid collecting bag as claimed in claim 1 wherein thesecond end portion of the overflow tube is connectable to an overflowdevice for collecting overflow fluid received from the overflow tube.11. A fluid collecting bag as claimed in claim 10 wherein the overflowdevice comprises: a housing comprising a chamber; an inlet port in flowcommunication with the chamber at a first end portion and connectable tothe second end portion of the overflow tube at a second end portion forreceiving overflow fluid therefrom and transmitting the same to thechamber; and a resiliently flexible or compliant and stretchableoverflow member having an open end attachable to the housing in asealing fashion and a closed end, wherein the open end of the overflowmember is in fluid communication with the chamber such that, in use,fluid received by the overflow member causes the same to displacedbetween a storage configuration in which the overflow member is locatedsubstantially within the chamber and a filling configuration in whichthe overflow member extends from the chamber with fluid held therein.12. A fluid collecting bag as claimed in claim 11, wherein the overflowdevice comprises a seal to locate and keep the overflow member in thestorage configuration in the chamber.
 13. A fluid collecting bag asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the seal is suitable to displace or ruptureto allow the overflow member to be displaced to the fillingconfiguration in response to a predetermined amount of fluid pressurebeing present in the chamber.
 14. A fluid collecting bag as claimed inclaim 10, wherein a non-return valve is provided at an interface betweenthe second end portion of the overflow tube and the overflow device soas to prevent fluid received in the overflow device to travel back tothe overflow tube, in use.
 15. An overflow device for use with a fluidcollecting bag for receiving fluid downstream from a patient, theoverflow device comprising: a housing comprising a chamber; an inletport in flow communication with the chamber at a first end portion andconnectable to an overflow tube from the fluid collecting bag at asecond end portion for receiving overflow fluid therefrom andtransmitting the same to the chamber; and a resiliently flexible orcompliant and stretchable overflow member having an open end attachableto the housing in a sealing fashion and a closed end, wherein the openend of the overflow member is in fluid communication with the chamberand configured such that, in use, fluid received by the overflow memberenters the chamber and causes the overflow member to be displacedbetween a storage configuration, in which the overflow member is locatedsubstantially within the chamber, and a filling configuration, in whichthe overflow member extends from the chamber with fluid held therein.16. An overflow device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the overflowmember is in the form of a balloon or condom like member.
 17. Anoverflow device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the housing comprises acircular disk-like top portion and a cylindrical wall or skirt extendingfrom the periphery of the top portion to an end portion of the housing,wherein the chamber is defined between the top portion and the wall ofthe housing.
 18. An overflow device as claimed in claim 17, wherein theinlet port is located adjacent a hub of the top portion.
 19. An overflowdevice as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cylindrical wall defines acircumferentially extending seat adjacent the end portion of the housingfor locating a circumferentially extending lip adjacent the open end ofthe overflow member therein.
 20. An overflow device as claimed in claim19, wherein the device comprises a collar configured to fit around thehousing, adjacent the end portion thereof, so as at least to retain thelip of the overflow member substantially in the seat.
 21. An overflowdevice as claimed in claim 15, wherein the device comprises acylindrical securing member to secure the overflow tube to the inletport of the device.
 22. An overflow device as claimed in claim 15,wherein the overflow device comprises a seal to locate and keep theoverflow member in the storage configuration in the chamber.
 23. Anoverflow device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the seal is suitable todisplace or rupture to allow the overflow member to be displaced to thefiling configuration in response to a predetermined amount of fluidpressure being present in the chamber.
 24. An overflow device as claimedin claim 15, wherein a non-return valve is provided adjacent the inletport of the overflow device so as to prevent fluid received in theoverflow device to travel out of the inlet port, in use.
 25. A fluidcollecting system collecting fluid downstream from a patient via a fluidcollecting line or tube, the fluid collecting system comprising: a fluidcollecting bag for receiving fluid downstream from a patient via a fluidcollecting line, the fluid collecting bag comprising: a bag body havingan interior for receiving and holding fluid; an inlet tube comprising afirst end portion in fluid communication with the interior of the bagbody and a second end portion connectable in fluid communication to thefluid collection line or tube; an outlet tube comprising a first endportion in fluid communication with the interior of the bag body and asecond end portion connectable to a drainage valve for draining theinterior of the bag body, in use, and an overflow tube comprising afirst end portion connected in fluid communication with the inlet tube,at a region between the first and second end portions of the inlet tube,and a second end portion providing an outlet for fluid received from thefirst end portion, in use; and overflow device connectable to the fluidcollecting bag, the overflow device comprising: a housing comprising achamber; an inlet port in flow communication with the chamber at a firstend portion and connectable to the second end portion of the overflowtube at a second end portion thereof for receiving overflow fluid fromthe overflow tube and transmitting the same to the chamber; and aresiliently flexible or compliant and stretchable overflow member havingan open end attachable to the housing in a sealing fashion and a closedend, wherein the open end of the overflow member is in fluidcommunication with the chamber an configured such that, in use, fluidreceived by the overflow member enters the chamber and causes theoverflow member to be displaced between a storage configuration, inwhich the overflow member is located substantially within the chamber,and a filling configuration, in which the overflow member extends fromthe chamber with fluid held therein. 26-27. (canceled)